Permanent size indicia for clothes and method



1366- 1952v B. H. JENKINS PERMANENT sxzs IND-ICIA-f F'OR CLOTHES AND METHOD Filed Jun 10. 1949 W J INVEN TOR.

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Eatenteci @eo. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERMANENT SIZE INDICIA FOR CLOTHES AND METHOD Barbara H. Jenkins, Warrenton, Va.

Application June 10, 1949, Serial No. 98,285

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to articles of clothing, and in particular, to size indicia for the articles.

The almost universal manner of indicating the size of articles of clothing is by ink-stamping the article, but such is of convenience only at the time of the sale of the article, since as is well known, the mark very quickly washes out. After the mark has washed out, the sorting of articles according to their sizes becomes quite a lengthy and troublesome procedure particularly when there are a number of younger children in the family wearing articles of relatively close sizes. Also, the inconvenience is more noticeable in sorting certain articles of clothing such as socks, underwear, shorts, jerseys, etc., all of which require frequent changes and, therefore, are carried and washed in large amounts. Further adding to the sorting problem is the fact that quite often socks, as well as the other articles, are of the same color so that the various sizes are not readily discernible merely by the color and, therefore, sorting must be done by comparative measurements. To facilitate sorting, some articles may have the size numeral stamped on them with a relatively indelible ink, but even in such a case the stamping must be sought out and read which in addition to being time-consuming, is a job which must be performed by an adult capable of readmg.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and permanent manner of marking articles of clothing so that they can be distinguished very quickly according to size even though the various sizes to be distinguished are otherwise identical in color and shape.

A further related object is to provide a size marking of such a nature that any child would be capable of sorting the articles into their different sizes.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show three different sizes of pairs of socks, each of which incorporates the size determining indicia of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the invention has been illustrated by pairs of socks I, 2 and 3 since, as will be appreciated, the problem of sorting and matching pairs of anything is by far the most troublesome. Each of the socks is formed in the customary manner with a body portion 1 shaped to fit the foot, and, in addition, each has knitted into it a geometric figure 5, this figure, as shown, being a circle positioned at the heel of body portion 4, although insofar as the purposes of the invention would be served, the figure could assume any common geometric shape and could be formed at any other conspicuous position.

Further, for purposes of description, it may be assumed that each of the socks shown has a white body portion A and the problem is to separate the six socks into the matched pairs of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. For this purpose, the circular geometric figures of each pair are knitted from differently colored spools of yarn and, also, the color of the circles of each pair must differ from the color of the body portions of that pair. Thus, by way of example, circles 5 of pair I may be yellow, while the circles of pairs 2 and 3 may be blue and red, respectively. Such being the case, matching and sorting of pairs becomes extremely simple, so simple in fact that a child may be directed to pick out from a laundry basket two white socks having blue circles and the parent, therefore, is relieved entirely of the sorting job. Of course, it is contemplated that the body portions may be of any color, or pattern of colors, in which case it only is necessary to form the geometric figure of a color which contrasts with the body portion. Also, as may be gathered, the circle marking preferably is formed by knitting the differently colored yarn into the body portion of the sock, this knitting producing a permanent mark which will endure as long as the sock itself. Of course, if desired, the marking may be superimposed upon the body portion at either or both the heel or toe so as to reinforce these areas and lengthen the wear of the sock. In such a case, the marking performs a double duty of indicating size and increasing wear.

Other advantages of this marking will be readily understood. One such is that the marking itself improves the appearance of the sock and greatly adds to the sales attraction. In this regard, it also is contemplated to market the socks by giving each customer a color chart which will identify the size with the color. Such a chart can be made quite attractive, particularly to children, by some imaginative expedient such as showing a circus clown juggling a number of colored balls, or balloons, and, by giving a smaller replica of the clown to the child, sales may be increased even further. Yet another advantage incident to marketing is the protection afforded the public, this being due to the fact that the purchaser is assured of obtaining a matched pair of socks simply by selecting two socks having identical size indicia. This, of course, would be of particular advantage when selecting socks from a bargain counter and, in addition, would greatly reduce the time required to make the selection, thereby alleviating to a considerable extent the confusion so commonly experienced around such bargain counters. In so doing, not only is the customer benefited but also the retailer can operate more economically by cutting down on the sales personnel at the counter and, at the same time, attracting and completing more sales.

Another very desirable feature provided is that the child very quickly will acquire a recognition of the various colors and thus will benefit from an educational standpoint. In fact, if the parent cooperates by directing the child to choose a certain article by color, not only the child, benefits but also the parent is relieved entirely of the sorting duty.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle of my invention and have described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A method of distinguishing according to size articles of clothing having similarly shaped body portions comprising knitting each of said portions in a desired color, knitting into each of said body portions a geometric figure of a sizedistinguishing color contrasting with the color of the body portion, said figures being of the same color in articles of one size and of a different color in articles of another size.

2. An article of clothing of any given size, comprising a body portion having a geometric figure knitted into it in a size-distinguishing color contrasting with the color of said body portion and with the size-distinguishing color in any like article of a difierent size, whereby said firstmentioned article can readily be distinguished by its size-distinguishing color from like articles of different size and matched with like articles of the same size as the first article.

BARBARA H. JENKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 286,141 Landenberger Oct. 2, 1883 557,631 Adams et al Apr. 7, 1896 1,926,475 Casablancas Sept. 12, 1933 2,002,888 Gastrich May 28, 1935 2,075,610 Hemingway Mar. 30, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 20,548 Great Britain of 1913 141,734 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1920 

